Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the €600 million budget for the Child and Family Agency is to be spent; if she deems this to be an adequate level of funding for the agency to function efficiently in view of its responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6638/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is giving particular priority to improving services for children and families. In accordance with the Revised Estimates for 2014 as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Child and Family Agency ("CFA") allocation is €609 million, including €7m in capital provision. This allocation is for the continuing provision of services previously administered by the Health Service Executive (H.S.E), National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), and Family Support Agency (FSA).

The transfer of responsibilities was accompanied by a transfer of staff and budgets previously under the remit of the HSE/NEWB/FSA. A due diligence process was undertaken to establish the services to transfer and the associated staff and financial resources / budgets. In addition, a budgetary process was conducted to identify the level of funding required based on the 2013 figures and expected expenditure in 2014. This budget forms the basis of funding for the CFA.

The overall level of funding available, which is significant by any measurement, will help the agency to respond to demand and to the needs of clients. It will help to improve the level and quality of services. It will help in responding to the historic legacy of failings highlighted in the various inquiry reports published in recent years. Work in finalising a Business Plan for the Agency is at an advanced stage.

In interim, on an indicative and approximate basis, summary budget information for major areas of Agency expenditure is as follows.

It is acknowledged that there are significant demands on the services for which the Agency is responsible. These arise from demographic and social factors and greater awareness of the importance of intervening to promote the welfare of children. In recognition of these demands the Government made an additional provision in Budget 2014 of €6.7m (€12m in a full year) to support the major reform of child welfare and protection services which is under way.

While very significant resources have been made available to the Agency, in light of the ongoing needs in this area, there will always be a requirement for the organisation to prioritise and manage those resources effectively. In line with all Departments the funding position will be challenging and careful management and continual monitoring of it will be necessary.